10 Insane Grilled Cheeses Worth Dying For

By Perry Santanachote @perrysant A recipe for grilled cheese may seem unnecessary, but so are ball pits and that doesn't make them any less awesome. And unlike ball pits, there are some simple steps and affordable ingredients that can transform a standard grilled cheese into legendary status. But before you get to the good stuff, here are the basics: Use high-quality white sandwich bread (unless the recipe calls for something else), melted unsalted butter on both sides of the bread, and a large, nonstick skillet over medium-low heat for “grilling.” It's these fromage fundamentals that ensure a golden-brown finish. Now get your drool buckets ready -- it's about to get cheesy.

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Toad in a Hole

Cut two 1-inch slices off a brioche loaf. Crop a hole out of one slice using a 2-inch round cookie cutter. Coat both slices in butter and toast in skillet until golden. Flip slices and break an egg into the hole. Cover the other slice with ¼ pound of grated fontina cheese and 1 ounce of crispy pancetta. Cook until cheese melts and just the egg whites set. Top cheese slice with egg slice. Check your blood pressure medication refills. Continue Reading Related Stories

Potato Chips

Butter and toast both sides of white sandwich bread in a nonstick skillet. Top each bread slice with 2 ounces gouda cheese and ½ cup potato chips. Once cheese melts, combine the slices together, fillings facing in, and press, crushing the chips (enjoyed that crunch, didn't you?), until the slices stick to each other. Related Stories

Smashed Potatoes

Boil 2 baby red potatoes (1-½ to 2 inches in diameter) until tender, about 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 450°F. Drain potatoes on paper towels and, using another layer of paper towels, gently press down on the potatoes with the palm of your hand to flatten to ½ inch. Feel free to say something like, "Yeah, take that, potato!" Place potatoes on a baking sheet, coat each one with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt. Roast the potatoes until crispy and deep brown around the edges, about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Heat a skillet over medium-low and make two small piles of parmesan cheese on the surface. Place a smashed potato on each pile. Top both with cheddar cheese. Cook until cheddar is melted and parmesan is golden brown and crusty. Top one potato with the other, cheese facing in, and smash them together with a spatula. Serve hot with sour cream and chopped chives.

Garlicky Pizza

Toast a footlong loaf of garlic bread in the oven until crispy (according to package instructions). Important: do not give up and just eat entire loaf of garlic bread. Halve the bread lengthwise and place the slices cut-side down on the skillet. Top each with 2 tablespoons pizza sauce, a sprinkle of dried basil, 5 slices mozzarella, and 4 slices pepperoni. Once cheese melts, place one slice on top of the other, cheesy sides facing in, and flatten with a heavy, cast-iron pan.

Elvis

Butter and toast both sides of white sandwich bread in a nonstick skillet. Top one slice with 2 tablespoons peanut butter and 1 banana, sliced. Top the other slice with 2 slices colby cheese, 3 strips cooked bacon, and 2 more slices colby. Once cheese melts, flip the cheesy slice on top of the banana slice and press lightly to set. Gyrate your hips just enough to be upsetting.

Taco Quesadilla

Place one small buttered flour tortilla on the skillet. Toast until golden, flip and toast the other side. Remove from pan and repeat with another tortilla. Top the second tortilla with grated cheddar and cover with the first tortilla. Remove from pan and repeat with a third tortilla, topping the cheese with the first two tortillas. The layers should be: crispy tortilla, cheese, crispy tortilla, cheese, crispy tortilla.

Do this all over again so you have two of these double-decker quesadillas. Yes, you just created two of these.

Leave one quesadilla in the pan and top with more cheese. Add beef, tomatoes, and more cheese. Top with the second quesadilla and press to set. Flip and cook the other side until cheese is fully melted. Serve with lettuce and guacamole and an unsigned final will and testament.

Hawaiian

Butter and toast both sides of white sandwich bread in a nonstick skillet. Top each bread slice with a slice of mozzarella, two slices of colby, 1 slice smoked ham, and 1 slice cored pineapple. Evenly distribute 1 chopped jalapeño over both halves or unevenly distribute on one half and serve it to a mortal enemy. Once cheeses melt, sandwich the two slices, fillings facing in, and press lightly to set.

Thanksgiving

The day after Thanksgiving, gently prepare your family for something that will destroy their minds. Spread 2 cups of stuffing into 2 squares of a Belgian waffle maker. Cook until crisp. Place 3 slices of muenster cheese on each stuffing waffle. Once cheese melts, remove waffle from the machine and top one with cranberry sauce and the other with mashed potatoes. Press both sides together, fillings facing in, until set. Clean up family brain matter and relish in your mastery of the grilled cheese.